Matthew J. Gardner

Matthew J. Gardner

Matthew J. Gardner, a distinguished partner at Robbins Schwartz, boasts a multifaceted legal career spanning various practice areas. With expertise in construction, commercial transactions, real estate, and public finance, Matthew has emerged as a trusted advisor to both private and public project owners.

Matthew’s practice revolves around guiding clients through the intricacies of construction and real estate projects. From property acquisition to contract negotiation, bidding, project management, and litigation, his comprehensive approach ensures that his clients navigate each phase of their projects seamlessly. Matthew also offers representation to contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers, addressing payment claims, lien rights preservation, and defending against defect claims.

In addition to his construction and real estate practice, Matthew extends his legal acumen to the realm of education law and data privacy. Representing school districts, colleges, and educational technology companies, he drafts and negotiates data privacy agreements, software license agreements, and service agreements. He has contributed significantly to evolving legal frameworks in education privacy matters and is renowned for his adeptness in addressing risks associated with data breaches or ransomware attacks.

Beyond his legal practice, Matthew is deeply involved in the legal community. He has served as the past Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Construction Law and Mechanics Lien Subcommittee and is an active member of various legal associations, including the Illinois State Bar Association and Chicago Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Committee. Matt also dedicates his time to pro bono services, reflecting his commitment to serving the community.

Before embarking on his legal career, Matthew’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to the restaurant industry and a lawn mowing business. He pursued his passion for law after discovering an interest in legal issues during college.

What sets Matthew apart is his genuine passion for collaborating with colleagues to find innovative solutions to clients’ challenges. His dedication to excellence and unwavering commitment to his clients have established him as a leading figure in the legal community.

Awards

• Illinois “Rising Star”, by Super Lawyers Magazine, in the area of Construction Litigation (2021-2022)

Education

• J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School
• B.S., University of Utah

Admitted to Practice

• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• Supreme Court of Illinois
• Supreme Court of Utah
• Supreme Court of Wisconsin

Organizations

• Chicago Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Illinois Association of School Business Officials
• Illinois Council of School Attorneys

Recent Publications

• Contributing author, “Environmental Issues” Construction Law: Transactional Considerations, IICLE (2021)
• Contributing author, “School Property and Environmental Issues” School Law: Organization, Finance, and Property, IICLE (2017, 2021)
• Contributing author, “Turner on Illinois Mechanics Liens,” Chapter III – Making a Lien Against Private Property Enforceable (2019)
• Co-author, “School Construction from Start to Finish: A Project Checklist,” School Business Affairs Magazine, ASBO (2018)
• Contributing author, “Top 11 Public Bidding Questions,” UPDATE Magazine, Illinois ASBO (2018)
• Contributing author, “Meditation a Win-Win for Clients and their Attorneys in Construction Litigation,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (2018)

 Recent Presentations

• Data Breaches and Ransomware Attacks: Strategies for Preventing and Responding to Cybersecurity Incident, Large Unit District Association 2024 March Conference (March 2024)
• Legal Requirements Schools Must Consider for Data Privacy and an Update on the Evolution of Lawsuits Against Schools Arising From Data Breaches, Secured Schools: K-12 Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Conference (January 2024)
• Legal Update for Illinois Community College Chief Financial Officers, Illinois Community College Chief Financial Officers Spring Conference (April 2023)
• Best Practices for Safeguarding Data in an Increasingly Digital World, SecurED Schools: K-12 Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Conference (January 2023)
• Bidding 101, IASBO Emerging SBO Summit (July 2022)
• Legal Considerations Related to Renewable Energy, Illinois ASBO Administrator Academy: Sustainability for PK-12 Schools (May 2022)
• School Bidding, Procurement, and Prevailing Wages: From the Basics to the Advanced, IASA Spring Legal Seminar (March 2022)
• Making Sense of the Alphabet Soup: FERPA, COPPA, SOPPA, ISSRA, MHDDCA, and PIPA and Strategies for Compliance, Secured Schools K-12 Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Conference (January 2022)